How To Clean Quartz Countertops
- Routine Cleaning
Although it’s easy to remove regular stains like spilled juice or ketchup from the countertop, routine cleaning of quartz countertops is required. For the same, dish soap is your go-to.
How to do it?
- Take 2 tablespoons of dish soap in a bowl of water and mix it.
- Use a nonabrasive sponge or a sponge used for non-stick pans and dip it in the dish wash solution.
- For harder residue such as bubble gum, nail polish, paint, or food, use a flexible plastic scraper to scrape off the residue without any fear of scratching the countertop.
If some stains remain after the dish wash cleaning, pour some hot water over the stain and let it sit for a while before cleaning it up. This would make the stain dissolve in the water and come off easily.
- Deep Cleaning
Quartz countertops require deep cleaning only if there are a lot of spills. The longer the stain remains, the harder it is for you to remove it.
With time, grease from food starts to form a thin layer on the top which is not easily removed by dish soap or hot water. Therefore, to make sure that the layer of grease is not formed on the top, turn to the amazing cleaner called vinegar.
Mix 2 parts vinegar with 2 parts water in a spray bottle and generously spray it over the entire top.
Wipe it clean with a soft sponge after letting it sit for a minute.
Wipe it again with clean water.
If you don’t want the smell of vinegar hanging around the room, you can mix some essential oils with it to make the kitchen smell pleasant.
- Removing Stains:
3.1 Permanent marker
Stains from permanent markers are quite easy to clean on quartz countertops because of their texture. Use Goo Gone on the stain to easily get it off.
Make sure to rinse the top thoroughly with water after using such products on it.
3.2 Cooking grease
If dish soap does not seem to work on cooking grease, there are several products such as Easy-Off which you can turn to. They are degreasers and can loosen the grip of it from the top and help clean it easily.
3.3 Limescale stain
Sometimes, limescale builds upon the surface of the countertop, which requires tough quartz stain remover.
In that case, the steps you could follow are:
- a) Test on a small area of the quartz surface at the intended dilution ratio before using it on the surface.
- b) Dilute the cleaner using the appropriate mix ratio.
- c) Apply diluted cleaner to the quartz surface.
- d) Leave the diluted cleaner on the quartz for an appropriate time (from 2-3 minutes to 30 minutes).
- e) Rinse thoroughly with water.
Also, quartz countertops come with a guide to maintain them. That is, there are certain dos and don’ts of the same. To make sure that your countertop looks brand new forever, adhere to these tips for maintaining it.
Dos: To Maintain Your Quartz Countertop
- Regular Cleaning of Quartz
Quartz countertops are hassle-free, to begin with. All they require is regular cleansing and a little bit of maintenance, to keep the shining and texture brand new.
Unlike granite tops, quartz countertops do not need to be sealed at regular intervals. The best way to maintain one is through regular usage and cleaning.
- Using Proper Tools and Cleaners
To clean any spills or stains on your quartz countertop, use glass cleaner sprays or specific chemicals (with appropriate pH values). Always opt for moderate cleaners as tough ones can warp the surface.
- Proper Wiping
To wipe the stains clean, use paper towels or soft cloths. Clothes dipped in hot water can work wonders.
- Scrubbing Off Stains
To scrub the harder stains and bumps off the countertop, always use non-abrasive scrubs and cleaners to protect the surface from scratches.
- More than Regular Cleaning
In addition to regular cleaning of your quartz countertops, use different degreasers and chemicals for deep cleaning of the surface from time to time. Deep cleaning is important because, at times, certain stains do not come off easily with regular cleaning using dish wash soaps.
Don’ts: To Keep Your Quartz Countertop Stain Free
- Acid or Alkaline Cleaners
Do not use cleaners on your quartz surface which have a pH value outside the approved range. Many times, to clean the surface, we use the hardest chemical cleaner. But, it might affect the luminosity and cause more damage to it.
- Chopping and Dicing
Quartz countertops may be hard, but knives leave scratches on them which disturbs the texture of the countertop.
To prevent the surface from such scratches, use a chopping board.
- Direct Exposure to Heat
Keeping hot plates, pans, and utensils directly on your quartz countertops can increase the risk of it melting (from heat above 300 degrees Fahrenheit), and even cause it to crack.
Use hot pads and trivets to keep the surface safe.
- The Installation
Quartz countertops are not meant to be installed outside due to the heavy risk of it developing cracks inside of it because of severe weather conditions.
In addition to it, all manufacturer warranties cover inside use only. Installing outdoors can fade the color and texture of the surface.
- Metal Usage
Never use metallic products on the quartz countertops for removing stains, like knives or even spoons. Rather, use plastic to scrape off the remains of the stain. Also, using sandpaper, pumice stone, or usage of hard-bristled brushes is bad for your quartz.
- Ignoring Spills
The worst thing you can do to your quartz countertop is ignore the spills and leave them as it is. Quartz is a non-porous surface and there is no chance of food particles or even liquids penetrating it, nevertheless, it pushes the surface towards the high risk of getting corrosive.
Highly acidic liquids can cause long-term damage to quartz.